The Violinist: How an international team brought old Singapore to life through hand-drawn animation

A decade-long journey of collaboration and artistic creation culminated in the creation of award-winning animated film, The Violinist. This film transported audiences back to old Singapore through hand-drawn animation, weaving together the stories of two young musicians, Kai and Fei, whose friendship was shattered by war. Co-directed by Singaporean animator Ervin Han and Spanish animator Raul Garcia, the film was brought to life by a diverse team of artists and creatives from around the world, including Japan, Spain, Italy, Indonesia, the Philippines and Colombia.

The Violin, a 16-minute short film directed by Han in 2015, served as the seed for The Violinist. Set in 1930s Boat Quay, the short followed a young boy who learned to play an old violin from a foreign trader. This story evolved over the years, eventually growing into the full-length animated feature, set against the backdrop of Singapore and Malaya before and during the Japanese Occupation.

The film's directors, Han and Garcia, shared a vision for creating an animated feature that transcended culture and history. Han, who had previously co-founded Robot Playground Media, and Garcia, a seasoned animator with a background in Disney Renaissance films, formed a strong partnership built on mutual respect and communication. Garcia joked that Han was "a stickler for historical accuracy," leading to occasional disagreements about the level of detail in historical references.

The film's animation process was a testament to the dedication and skill of the international team. With approximately 400 artists, animators, producers, filmmakers and musicians contributing their talents, the team faced challenges in accurately representing Singapore's past while maintaining the film's universal themes of love and resilience. One of the most difficult aspects of the animation process was convincingly depicting violin playing without hiding inaccurate hand movements behind camera angles.

Despite the challenges, The Violinist emerged as a love letter to the region and its history, showcasing the stories and histories that shape Singapore and the wider Southeast Asian region. The film's production team worked tirelessly to ensure historical accuracy, creating detailed reference packages for international teams to follow and spending years researching various aspects of the story.

The result is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that celebrates the power of art and collaboration in bringing long-forgotten stories to life.